Fix Low Water Pressure at Your Kitchen Faucet

Kitchen faucet pressure that drops to a trickle is one of those problems that feels catastrophic until you realize how simple it usually is. You're standing there trying to fill a pot or rinse dishes, and suddenly the flow is pathetic. The good news: you almost never need a plumber. The culprit is usually sitting right at the tip of your spout—the aerator—or lurking in the cartridge that controls your water flow. Before you assume your plumbing is failing, you can diagnose and fix this yourself in under an hour with basic tools you already own. Low pressure at just the kitchen faucet (not your whole house) means the problem is isolated to that fixture. That narrows it down significantly. This guide walks you through finding the source, clearing it out, and getting your water flow back to normal.

1. Check if the problem is isolated to hot or cold water. Turn on just the hot water and note the pressure. Then turn on just the cold water and note that pressure. If one side is normal and one is weak, the issue is in that supply line or valve. If both are weak, the aerator is the likely culprit. This simple test saves you troubleshooting time.
2. Unscrew and remove the aerator. Most kitchen faucets have an aerator threaded onto the tip of the spout. Wrap the faucet tip gently with a cloth (to protect the chrome), then grip the aerator with an adjustable wrench and turn counterclockwise. Some aerators unscrew by hand. Once it's off, look inside at the screens and mesh—you'll likely see mineral deposits or sediment.
3. Soak the aerator in vinegar. Fill a small cup with white vinegar and submerge the aerator completely. Let it sit for 30 minutes to an hour. The acetic acid dissolves mineral deposits (calcium and magnesium) that are restricting flow. If the buildup is heavy, leave it overnight. For stubborn deposits, use a soft brush or old toothbrush to gently scrub the mesh screens.
4. Rinse and reassemble the aerator. Remove the aerator from the vinegar and rinse all parts under running water. Make sure all the mesh screens, spacers, and rubber washers are clean. Reassemble in the same order it came apart, then thread it back onto the faucet spout by hand first, then tighten gently with your wrench.
5. Test the flow and check for leaks. Turn on both hot and cold water and let the faucet run for 10 seconds. The pressure should return to normal. Check underneath the sink where the supply lines connect to the faucet body. If you see any dripping, tighten those connections a quarter-turn with a basin wrench.
6. Turn off the water supply and inspect the cartridge housing. If the aerator cleaning didn't work, locate the shut-off valves under the sink and turn them clockwise until tight. Locate the faucet handle's cap (usually a small disc at the base of the handle). Pop it off with a flathead screwdriver or fingernail. You'll see a screw holding the handle on. Remove it, slide the handle off, and you'll see the cartridge housing. Look for any visible debris or mineral buildup around the edges.
7. Flush the cartridge chamber with vinegar. With the water supply still off, pour white vinegar into the cartridge chamber (where the cartridge sits) and let it sit for 15 minutes. Use a small cup or turkey baster to direct it. This dissolves internal mineral deposits. Then turn the water supply back on briefly to flush out the vinegar, catching the discharge with a cup. Repeat once more if the flow was severely restricted.
8. Reassemble and verify full pressure. Turn off the water supply again, reassemble the handle and cartridge housing exactly as they came apart, and tighten the handle screw snugly (not hard). Turn the water supply back on and test both hot and cold again. Pressure should be restored. If it's still weak, the cartridge itself is failing and needs replacement.